Representatives from diplomatic corps, and international and foreign non-governmental organisations in Vietnam gathered in Hanoi on February 4 to welcome the Tet (Lunar New Year) festival.

Speaking at the friendship meeting, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) Vu Xuan Hong spoke highly of the active and effective assistance by international friends to Vietnam over the past year.

He said that Vietnam, with its foreign policy of independence, self-determination, diversification and multilateralism, in the spirit of being a friend and reliable partner of countries worldwide, has been a responsible member of the international community as the rotating President of the UN Security Council.

He said he hoped that Vietnam might receive continued support and cooperation from the international community in 2010 as the country hosts a large number of major, important events.

In 2009, foreign NGOs provided more than 271.5 million USD to Vietnam and implemented over 2,000 projects in 63 provinces and cities. This foreign aid was mainly poured into the areas of health, education, socio-economic development, and natural resources management.

Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Fredesman Turro Gonzalez praised the VUFO’s activities and programmes over the past year and expressed his belief that the union will continue serving as a bridge to strengthen the friendship and mutual understanding among nations./.